Chapter Two: Elphaba's Political Views

The next life sciences lecture was held in the same lecture hall, as usual, but Fiyero didn't choose to arrive as early and sit in the very back as he had the week before. This time, he waited until he saw Boq, Elphaba and Avaric enter the lecture hall and entered discreetly a few moments later. Pretending to have only just spotted them, he waved at them and was more than relieved when Boq waved back and offered him a seat between he and Elphaba.

Settling in next to Boq and Elphaba, Fiyero whispered to Elphaba, "Are you going to entertain us with any more of your humorous drawings today?"

Elphaba's cheeks got hot. "If I feel inspired, perhaps."

"What is it about Dr. Nikidik that you dislike so much? Most students just make fun of him, but I can tell that, with you, it's more than that."

"I don't agree with his political views. Then again, most people don't agree with mine."

"What do you mean?" Fiyero asked innocently.

His innocence was sweet. "Well, I believe, unlike the majority of Oz, that Animals should be treated with the equality that they were treated with up until recently; that is, up until the Wizard took reign. Unforetunately, not many Ozians agree with my humble opinion."

Fiyero glanced around him. "I didn't even notice the lack of Animals until you said anything. In the Vinkus, there aren't many Animals, but we've never treated them any differently."

"Well, it's too bad the rest of Oz can't be like your people." Elphaba commented.

He wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic, but she seemed genuine. "Why should we treat Animals any differently?"

"We shouldn't." Elphaba said.

"But why do other people?"

"Because they're stupid and discriminatory."

"I don't understand people around here." Fiyero admitted.

Elphaba nodded. "Neither do I."

"Was it like this in Munchkinland?"

"I was too ignorant to take any notice," Elphaba conceded. "But then Dr. Dillamond showed me what was going on around here and ever since then, it's become more noticeable."

"Who's Dr. Dillamond?"

Elphaba's face fell. "He was our professor before Dr. Nikidik, a Goat. He was an Animal Rights activist. But someone murdered him."

"Murder?"

"People will do anything to make their political point. This one seemed to be a warning to the rest of the Animals who were speaking out. I, for one, don't care."

"But doesn't it scare you?"

"Not in the least." Elphaba stated boldly. "If someone wants to kill me off, they don't even know what's coming to them."

Fiyero laughed, then stopped himself quickly, realizing the subject was not a funny one. "But, really, you're not afraid?"

"A little." She looked at her feet. "But I'm only a college student. There's not much I can do. I'm no danger to anyone at this point. Why would anyone bother to kill me? They don't have to worry about me. Not yet, at least."

"They?"

"The rest of Oz." Elphaba answered simply, waving it off. "Well, almost. I'm sure one or two other people believe in Animal Rights, but you'd better believe they've been silenced."

Fiyero shuddered. "I don't think I like being outside the Vinkus all that much."

"It must be nice," said Elphaba dreamily.

"What?"

"Living so far away from politics and problems."

"We have our own problems."

"Like what?" She was curious, not mocking.

"Well, there are three main tribes out in the Vinkus, and they're always killing one another. My tribe, the Arjikis, we're in a good place right now, but things could change."

"I've always wondered what it's like there."

"You should come out sometime," he blurted.

Forgetting who she was talking to, she nodded slightly. "That'd be an interesting culture study."

He began to feel like a scientific experiment. "Well, it'd be more than that. A bunch of us could go out there over the summer. Like you, and Boq and your friend, what's her name?"

"Glinda? Oh, she's hardly my friend."

"It seems like you two are close."

Elphaba shrugged.

"But, as I was saying, it'd be more than just a culture study."

"Oh, yes, of course." Agreed Elphaba, seeing that she'd almost offended him. Suddenly, she became quiet. "Maybe we should talk later. I think Dr. Nikidik is looking at us."

"But he can barely see this far back," Fiyero protested.

Elphaba giggled, a sound that was foreign to both of them. She looked away, shocked. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"That was loud. I thought maybe Dr. Nikidik heard us."

"He didn't."

"Are you sure?" Elphaba peered down towards the professor.

"Absolutely."

She sighed in relief. "He'd probably lecture me for blabbing on about my political views again. He's such an asshole."

"I've only been in this class twice. Then again, he wasn't particularly kind to me when I stumbled in my first day."

"He blamed you for interuppting his lesson. It wasn't your fault." Elphaba whispered.

"And then the antlers..."

"That was freaky. I always wondered what happened that caused them to just attack you like that. But you were lucky Crope and Tibbett were around. I'd never trust them with my life, but they seemed to have saved yours."

"What are they really like?"

"Crope and Tibbett?" Elphaba smiled. "They're women to the core."

"What?"

"They dress up all of the time. They like to use espionage as an excuse for drag, but anyone can tell why they really do it."

Fiyero laughed and got the evil eye from Dr. Nikidik.

Elphaba didn't notice. "But they're fun."

"They seemed fun."

"They provide some good entertainment."

"Like your drawings?"

"Much more than my pathetic little doodles." Elphaba laughed lightly.

"I like knowing what you have to say, even if I have to read it through a cartoon."

Elphaba was embarassed. "I'm not an artist or anything."

"You're fun to talk to."

She looked back at Dr. Nikidik. "I think he heard us."

When Fiyero glanced at the professor, Dr. Nikidik made no sign of having heard them, but Elphaba refused to speak for the rest of the class. Fiyero was too shy to push the subject, and apparently, so was she.

This was turning out to be one interesting group of friends he'd met.